fleming



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. A. FLEMING.

BICYCLE.

No. 443,938. PatentedDec. 30,1890

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

W. A. FLEMING.

BICYCLE.

Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

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NITED STATES ATENT rrica,

'lllll. A. FLEMING, ()F LEWISTON, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN QUINCY MOXLEY, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,938, dated December. 30, 1890.

Application filed October 14, 1889. Serial No. 326,909. (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILL. A. FLEMING, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at Lewiston, in the county of Nez Perces and Territory of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in Safety bicycles, which may be used by ladies or gentlemen, and which maybe operated with the utmost ease and smoothness; and it has for its objects to so construct the frame thereof that wheels of larger size than heretofore may be employed, and also to provide for changing the gearing, so as to secure power or speed at the will of the operator without dismountiug, or to permit the machine to be employed for coasting withoutremoving the feet from the foot-pedals, as more f ullyhereinafter explained. The above-mentioned objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a bicycle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section taken on the line w a: of Fig. 1, looking to the rear; and Fig. 3 represents a detail elevation of the pedal shaft and clutches.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A in dicates the main frame of the bicycle, the forward end of which is bent upward over the forward wheel B and has the front ends of the front diagonal braces S S secured thereto, the rear of said frame having a horizontal position and being bifurcated, as shown, so

as to embrace the rear wheel 0 at each side thereof. The forward end of the frame is provided with a swiveled bifurcated standard D, which embraces the forward wheel, and which is provided at its upper end with the usual cross-bar and handles E, whereby the machine is guided. The shafts of the respective wheels have their journal-bearings respectively at the ends of the bifurcated standard and the bifurcated rear portion of the frame A. This frame A is depressed at A to bring the main portion and weight of the frame into direct alignment with both front and rear axles, thus making the line of the forward thrust and momentum of the frame parallel with the line of the axles, and also making much more room for the operator and greatly facilitating the action of mounting and dismounting. In addition to this I am enabled to make the forward braces much shorter thanthey would otherwise necessarily be, and the play and length of lever are greatly lessened, and all wrenching, twisting, and distortion obviated. The front braces S S are secured to the frame at the point A directly in alignment with the axles, bringing all weight into the same general plane with respect to the line of motion and momentum as the machine is moved forward. The front portion A of the frame is substantially in alignment with the braces S S making a firm rigid trusssupport.

The letter F indicates a bifurcated standard secured to the main frame between the forward and rear wheels, upon the upper end of which is mounted the seat G, and to the lower ends of which are secured the rear ends of the front braces S S and the front ends of the rear braces T T which front and rear braces meet in pairs from opposite directions and are secured to the frame at front and rear, forming a double truss-brace, which serves to hold the ends of the standards against accidental displacement both longitudinally and transversely in a horizontal plane, and also holding the standard and seat firmly in position vertically. From the nature of the case the bifurcated standards bottom forked ends and the rear ends of the frame would, owing to the distance between them, be likely to get twisted out of position; but these braces support the former firmly from four directions and also serve as guards to prevent them from being struck as the machine falls over on rocks or any rough sur face, and the braces also prevent the mechanism on the pedal-shaft from striking any projection which might be in the path of the machine. Between the lower ends of said standard, in suitable bearings H in the said lower ends, is journaled a pedal-shaft I,hav-

ing shoulders H near its outer ends and provided with collars K, secured by means of set-screws L, by means of which the said shaft is confined accurately to its bearings. The said shaft is provided at its outer ends with the usual pedal-levers M. Upon the said shaft are loosely mounted two sprocketed driving-wheels N P, which are capable of turning independently of the said shaft. The hubs of the said wheels at their adjacent or inner faces are formed with clutch-recesses and teeth R, with which similar recesses and teeth S on a longitudinally-movable collar T, mounted on the pedal-shaft, are adapted to be engaged. The said collar is splined upon said pedal-shaft, so that while it may be moved longitudinally thereon it will be retated by said shaft.

The letter U indicates a lever fulcru med at V to the vertical standard which supports the seat. The upper end of said lever is so arranged as to be within easy control of the rider, While the lower end sets in an annular recess IV in the collar T, by means of which the said collar may be engaged with either of the Wheels N P or disengaged entirely from the same.

Upon the axle X of the rear wheel are rigidly mounted two sprocket-pulleys Y, which are connected with the wheels N P, respectively, by means of the sprocket-chains A B. as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood in connection with the above description, and is as follows: When the collar T is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the sprocket-wheels N P will turn freely on the pedal-shaft, permitting the same to remain idle, in which position the machine is in condition for coasting. WVhen it is required to speed the machine, the clutch-collar T is shifted to the left by means of the lever U, so as to engage the hub of the wheel T. In this position the wheel N will be rotated by the pedal-shaft and its motion will be transmitted by means of the sprocket-chains A to the rear axle and wheel. The wheel P will in the meantime run idly on the pedal-shaft. \Vhen it is desired to apply power to the machine, the clutch-collar T is shifted to engage the hub of the wheel I, in which case the wheel N will run idly upon the pedal-shaft.

It will be seen that, as above constructed, the machine may be readily arranged for speed when required for rapid work or for power when required for climbing grades or for coasting without requiring the rider to remove his feet from the pedals, and by the peculiar construction of the frame much larger wheels than heretofore may be employed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a bicycle of the character described, the

combination of the main frame bent at its front and bifurcated at its rear, and a bifurcated standard and a pair of front braces secured to the frame at the depressed point A in front in alignment with the line of axles and substantially into alignment with the forward portion A of the frame and to the lower regions of the bifurcated standard, with a pedal-shaft having speed-wheel and powerwheel and a clutch-collar, all mounted on said shaft between the lower ends of the bifurcated standard, and a pair of rear diagonal braces secured to the rear of the frame on opposite sides and also seen red to the lower regions of the bifurcated standard, and means for operating the clutch mechanism, all constructed and combined to operate substantially as and for the purposes explained.

In testimony whereofIattix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILL. A. FL EHIN G.

lVitnesses:

S. S. ROGERS, R. P. Mouse. 

